§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether her co-ordinating Group on Audit and Accountancy issues(a) has discussed and (b) will discuss (i) an independent Regulator of Accountancy and (ii) a ban on sales of other services by auditors to audit clients. [70715]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe Co-ordinating Group has discussed both regulation of the accountancy profession and the provision of non-audit services by auditors to their audit clients. I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry earlier today.
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether she plans to review major reform in accountancy regulation(a) now and (b) at the end of the first five years of the existence of the Accountancy Foundation; [70716]
(2) what plans she has to set up an Independent Regulator for Accountancy and Audit. [70714]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe Government will consider the need to review accountancy regulation in the light of the interim report of the Co-ordinating Group on Audit and Accountancy issues.